Comments (5)

The Broncos at home in the thin air of mile high stadium looks tempting, but why such a low point spread? Oh well, at this stage of not even making it on the leaders board 4 points would be ok. we'll see

I'm enjoying the Buffalos season - even the loss was exciting - but I watched the Eagles against San Francisco on NFL replay, and they aren't that far off from being very good. They had to go way out of their way to let San Francisco back into that game, and the offense is starting to come alive. Michael Vick had nearly 500 yards combined.
The field goal kicker missed two chances to end the game, and Macklin fumbled away a game-winning drive or at least a third missed field goal. You take out some of that and the Eagles roll.
So Buffalo being 3 point underdogs? If I were a gambling man, I'd take the Eagles.
Incidentally, I stopped enjoying gambling after an unfortunate encounter with a Raiders fan.

Heading off early for a getaway weekend, so here's an early bird edition of "Mojo's Best Bets," "Upset Special" & "Gamblers Corner." Seems like it's getting more difficult each week. I won't have the benefit of intel from today's practices, but unless there's some key personnel suddenly ruled out for this weekend's games, here ya go:

"Best Bets" (last week, 2-1; to date, 5-4)

1. TAMPA BAY (+1) at San Francisco --With the 49ers @home and only favored by 1 point, it's not likely that the "youngry" Bucs will be defeated by a 49ers team that's still trying to find itself. If Frank Gore can run for over 140 yards, maybe the home team will prevail. But, for one puny point you might as well take a chance on the next game on this list, worth 2.5 times as much, if the 'dog striped cats beat the spotted ones.

2. CINCINNATI (+2.5) at Jacksonville -- The Bengals are flying under the radar, performing well in all phases of the game. Their rookie QB is having a great opening quarter to the season. The Bengals should feast on a Jaguar team that's suffering from multiple problems, beginning in the coach's office. Could be Jack DelRio's last game as head coach there. A rookie QB (Cinci's Andy Dalton) vs. rookie QB (Jags' Blaine Gabbert) contest there between those teams, btw. While Jags RB Maurice Jones-Drew is a superb player, the Jags offense is ranked No. 31, while "the Bengals’ defense is ranked No. 1 in the NFL this week, the first time it’s been at the top since the end of the 1983 season. They moved into the top spot after becoming the first team to slow down the high-scoring Buffalo Bills, setting up a 23-20 win on Sunday."
AP - http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/other_nfl/view/20111005bengals_defense_top-ranked_for_1st_time_since_83/srvc=sports&position=recent_bullet

3. OAKLAND (+6) at Houston -- After their stumble last week at home against the Pats, the Raiders will be a fast & furious force sweeping into Houston and running away with a victory while the Texans are still giddy about beating the Steelers last week and overconfident since their playoff-obstructing division nemesis, Indianapolis, is flat on its back.

"The Upset Special" (last week, 0-1; to date, 1-2)

New York Jets (+9.5) vs. New England -- Oh, yeah! Lots of tv sets will be tuned into this one. These teams are evenly matched, except the Jets above-average passing game should shred the Pats pathetic pass defense. Mangold's back at center, so the Jets' OLine should be fine in pass protection for Sanchez. May not be as high-scoring a game as one might expect (the O/U is this week's tops at 49, just a hair over the OAK-HOU match-up).

Watch who establishes the run best between them and runs the clock in this pass crazy year in the NFL. Could be the key, especially if the difference comes down to a turnover, or a missed kick. The Jets' coach, rambunctious Rex Ryan, is 3-2 against both the Patriots and their coach, the ballyhooed Bill Belichick. Pats looking to revenge last year's playoff loss to NY, but may strive too hard. Brady's thrown 5 int's so far this year and the Jets pride themselves on having the best coverage tandem in the league. They'll be on the lookout for that Brady-TE connection, too.

"Gamblers Corner"

Some might be tempted to take TENNESSEE (+5) over the banged-up Steelers, but at home and with their speedy young replacements fired up on defense, along with the return of the gentle giant, Max Starks at LT, the Steelers defense also will be especially determined not to let Chris Johnson get anywhere near 100 yards rushing.

BUFFALO (+3) at Philadelphia -- This game will appeal to the folks giddy with the delightful start that the Bills have had (and in spectacular fashion), but the Eagles' backs are against the wall and their talent and coaching will show up to the challenge presented by the Bills in this home game where its a hostile place for out-of-towners to win. They're not going to lose at home 2 weeks in a row to non-divisional opponents.

ATLANTA (+5.5) vs Green Bay -- Maybe. I wish. But, the Packers are playing like world champs so far this year and the Falcons are still inconsistent. The Falcons aspire to be rivals to the Packers for the NFC Championship. Atlanta will need to win the turnover battle by at least +2 to pull this one off. Maybe John Abraham and the Falcons's pass rush can get to Rodgers and force those turnovers. Atlanta's crowd isn't much of a 12th man. I couldn't even see this as the "Upset Special," finding it more of a stretch than the Jets going into Foxboro again and beating the Pats twice in a row there.

CAROLINA (+6) vs New Orleans, another maybe. But, the Saints' defense is not likely to be beaten by a rookie QB, no matter how talented. It could happen since it's a home game for Carolina. They'll need to stuff the Saints' running game and get their own rolling, to have a chance. Newton vs. Brees is what everyone will be looking forward to. With the Saints' experienced defense, and Brees a recent league MVP & Super Bowl winner, big edge to Brees.

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 80
At this date last year: 89
Total run in 2014: 401
In 2013: 257
In 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269